Asia Society Australia, in partnership with the Australia Indonesia Youth Association NSW Chapter & the Australia India Youth Dialogue, is pleased to invite you to " Indo-Pacific Elections and the Consequences for Australia " with Lydia Santoso, Chair of the Australia-Indonesia Business Council NSW, Mosiqi Acharya, Chief of Staff at ABC’s Asia Pacific Newsroom, and Victoria Cooper, Non-Resident Fellow at the United States Studies Centre

With pivotal elections taking place in 2024 across Indonesia, India, and the US, join us as we explore the ramifications on Australia’s foreign relations and strategic interests. The panellists will offer their perspectives and analysis while providing unique insights into how these foreign elections may impact Australia and the region.

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with other Gen A members and early career interested in Asia over food and drink following the discussion.

Date: Thursday 23rd May 2024
Time: 5:45pm arrival for 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. event, followed by networking until 8:00 p.m
Venue: Sydney CBD
Registration Link: Click here to register.

Registration is essential. For any enquiries, please contact [email protected]

This event is presented in partnership with the Australia-Indonesia Youth Association NSW Chapter, and the Australia-India Youth Dialogue.

About Gen A: Gen A (Generation Asia) is Asia Society Australia’s emerging leaders network. It is a learning and leadership development platform for early career professionals (under 35) from our member and partner organisations. 

About our Speakers

Victoria Cooper, Non-Resident Fellow, United States Studies Centre

Victoria Cooper is a non-Resident Fellow at the United States Studies Centre where she specialises in US domestic politics and elections, as well as political trends and public opinion in both the United States and Australia. She is a regular commentator on US politics on Australian television news and radio outlets, with her research and analysis published across a range of Australian and international masthead including the Australian Financial Review, Sydney Morning Herald, the Conversation and the Diplomat. In 2023, Victoria was Research and Editorial Assistant to Bruce Wolpe on his fourth book project, Trump's Australia (Allen and Unwin, 2023), analysing Australia's relationship with the United States during the Trump administration and the implications for a second Trump presidential term. It was longlisted for the Australian Political Book of the Year in 2023. She was recognised as a 2024 Young Australians in International Affairs Young Woman to Watch.

Lydia Santoso, Chair, Australia Indonesia Business Council NSW

Ms Santoso, a senior lawyer at Nicholas George Lawyers, brings a wealth of experience to her role. As the current chair of the NSW chapter of the Australia Indonesia Business Council, board member of Australian Consortium of ‘In-Country’ Studies Indonesian Studies (ACICIS), board member of the Australia-Indonesia Institute, founding Chair of Balai Bahasa & Budaya Indonesia NSW and former vice President of the Australia Indonesia Association, she has demonstrated leadership in fostering bilateral business relationships. A qualified lawyer and Public Notary, Ms Santoso possesses a unique blend of legal expertise and cultural fluency. With Indonesian-Australian heritage, she is proficient in Indonesian and has practiced law in both Sydney and Jakarta. Ms Santoso boasts extensive connections within the Indonesian business community in Sydney, spanning relationships with the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesian property developers, Australian businesses with interests in Indonesia and a diverse network of Indonesians residing in Australia.

Mosiqi Acharya, Chief of Staff, ABC Asia Pacific Newsroom

Mosiqi Acharya is an experienced senior editorial leader at ABC News. She is the Chief of Staff at the Asia Pacific Newsroom based in Melbourne and she recently spearheaded a six-part special series on the 2024 Indian elections titled India Votes 2024. She has extensively reported on crucial events in India and Australia for various media platforms. With a background encompassing television, radio, podcasts, social media, digital, and print journalism, she brings a wealth of experience to her work. She was selected as an AIYD Delegate in 2015 and served on the steering committee for three years. She now sits on the Advisory Board of the Australia India Youth Dialogue. Passionate about Australia-India relations, she is sought after as a speaker and writer and has contributed to several panels, events and publications including The Age, the University of Melbourne, KPMG, E&Y, Australia India Institute, Australian Institute of International Affairs, Asialink, The Hindu etc.